US 12,326,680 B2
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating the same
Akiyasu Amita, Kanagawa (JP)
Assigned to RICOH COMPANY, LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Akiyasu Amita, Kanagawa (JP)
Filed on Oct. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/383,905.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-174905 (JP), filed on Oct. 31, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0142903 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2053 (2013.01) 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fixing device comprising:
a belt forming a loop;
a roller supporting an inner face of the belt;
a pad inside the loop of the belt to press the inner face of the belt outward the belt;
a slider between the belt and the pad to reduce friction between the belt and the pad; and
a pressure rotator to press the pad via the belt and the slider to form a fixing nip in which the belt and a recording medium are nipped between the pressure rotator and the slider to convey the belt and a recording medium in a conveyance direction,
wherein the pad has a recessed portion upstream from the fixing nip in the conveyance direction, the recessed portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the pad orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and
wherein a distance from an entrance of the fixing nip to a downstream edge of the recessed portion in the conveyance direction is 0 mm or more and 10 mm or less, a width of the recessed portion in the conveyance direction is 3 mm or more, and a depth of the recessed portion is equal to or larger than a thickness of the slider.